IHOP Gives Away Free Pancakes to Benefit Children's Hospitals

Katie Moulton

Erika Hebron, Miss Missouri 2010, makes it snappy with the griddle cakes at IHOP bright and early this a.m.

​Shrove Tuesday isn't for another week, but today's National Pancake Day! Until 10 p.m., IHOP is giving away free short stacks of buttermilk pancakes to help raise awareness and funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Donations made today at local IHOP locations via cash or credit card (or via www.ihop.com) will benefit Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center and St. Louis Children's Hospital.

Gut Check is qualified to report that said free short stack consists of three ample-size pancakes, along with IHOP's standard five-syrup selection: strawberry, boysenberry, blueberry, butter pecan and, of course, maple.

The flapjack festivities fired up early this morning at the Clayton Road location (8049 Clayton Road, Clayton; 314-725-8798), when Miss Missouri 2010, Erika Hebron, joined James Frew, the 2011 local child ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network, in flipping up free pancakes for patrons. Gut Check was there to watch as the staff taught James and his brother Daniel grilling and flipping techniques. During a live shot with KSDK-TV (Channel 5)'s Heidi Glaus, James flipped pancake batter on the TV host on a bet with the camera crew.

A sixth grader from Swansea, Illinois, James receives treatment at Cardinal Glennon, having been diagnosed with leukemia nearly two years ago. His mother, Marcie, says the family loves the Children's Miracle Network "because the money stays local."

Katie Moulton

James Frew diligently flips flapjacks at IHOP at an hour of the morning when Gut Check typically is still in bed.

​CMN communications director Phil Sholts says the group chose Frew as ambassador for his character and outgoing personality. Last year, after seven Xbox games were stolen from the playroom at Cardinal Glennon's oncology ward, James initiated a Facebook campaign for donations of new and used games to replace them. The Facebook page and the attendant media coverage left Cardinal Glennon with more Xbox accoutrements than they'd had to begin with.

IHOP and Children's Miracle Network hope National Pancake Day 2011 exceeds last year's event, when IHOP gave away 4 million pancakes and raised more than $2.1 million for children's charities, making it the largest one-day event in the pancake house's 52-year history.

Translation: The short stacks are going like...well, you know.